VBS 2012 - Summer Classes for Kids

Hey international families~

Looking for cheap/free, last-minute summer camps to send your kids to?  Searching the Internet for terms like “Houston summer camps”, “English lessons”, and “get them out of the house and out of my hair before they drive me up the walls insane”?

Well, unfortunately I can't offer a Japanese VBS like I could last year (it's tough doing it all by my lonesome - unless someone out there actually wanted to help me with it), but there are tons of week-long, half-day VBS (Vacation Bible School) locations offered by local churches.  Don't worry, it's not scary religious propaganda or anything.  Kids love it.  It's not really like school, but more with games and songs and arts & crafts and interesting stories.  I did it when I was a kid.  Many Americans do.

What I wish was available were more ESL classes for international adults for that week.  I only know of Rice Temple Baptist offering such (actually I'll be helping out there, teaching one of the English slots and maybe a Bible class the following week).

There are so many locations out there, it's too much to keep track of them all.  I can't recommend every church, of course, but there's several good ones that I know better and I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.  Otherwise, please call the church about any questions before you register.  For now, here's five.  If you want to, I guess you could even sign up for several different VBS locations since some are on different weeks. Several are using the same "Amazing Wonders" vintage 1920s aviation theme wherein the kids virtually travel to different locations around the globe learning about the power of God.  Wish I was still a kid.

Medical Center area:

June 4-8, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Rice Temple Baptist also offers their regular adult ESL classes at the same time all that week.
9-10 Bible classes, 10-11 English classes, and 11-12 music classes.

June 4-8, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Ditto with West University Baptist.  But please call or register for their time schedule.

On the west side of town, closer to Memorial City Mall or Katy:

June 11-15, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Check out the friendly folks at Tallowood.

June 25-29, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Likewise, with Bridgepoint.  You might remember this is where we had our Japanese VBS hosted last year.

July 9-12, 9:00 a.m. – noon, ends with a Family Fun Night on Thursday, July 12th from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Second Baptist Church, Katy Campus.

Goodness gracious, more free adult English classes galore!

Like the title says, Harris County is pretty generous in offering these classes to different school districts.

If they're all filled up the first day, which is probably true, there may be a waiting list.  At any rate, you can be on the lookout for future classes. 

How to register: Click the Map for class locations and Class Schedule to find information about upcoming classes and registration in your area. Register in person at the class site during the posted registration dates, call (713) 692-6216 or send an e-mail to adult-education@hcde-texas.org for more information.

Spreadsheet of ESL locations

You're welcome.

Update: Oh, and unrelated, but still useful, here's a bunch of free or pay classes around Houston courtesy of the Mayor’s Coalition for Literacy 2010 Directory

International English Fellowship (IEF) - conversational English practice in the med center

Well, looks like we're ready to go, friends.  The Friday lunchtime English group (or "International English Fellowship") will apparently be a reality now that my friend Mainor made this flyer for us.  I wasn't sure if I'd ever get around to making it myself and anyway I make terrible flyers, so I'm glad he did it.

I hope you can make it there.  Spouses welcome.  To tell the truth, I'm a bit nervous/apprehensive about something so momentous (for me, anyway), but I hope it'll go well.  I mean, I've been doing this kinda stuff for med center friends for the past three years or so with the good folks at Rice Temple Baptist Church, or just by myself, but somehow this seems more official or formal, or, um, something, I guess.  Yeah.  It'll go swimmingly.

As a reminder, it's free.  A sort of community service from me/our church.  But that doesn't mean you should now skip out on my private lessons.  I still need cash in my pocket, you know.  ;)  Feel free to bring some good ol' homemade food for me.